Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Tuesday that Tokyo supports the proposal raised by Moscow to tackle the alleged use of chemical weapons by the Syrian government, according to local media.

Abe told Russian President Vladimir Putin over telephone that Japan closely watches the response of the Syrian government, reported Japan's Kyodo News, quoting Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroshige Seko.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Monday Russia hopes Syria would place its chemical weapons under international control so as to avoid being struck by the United States, which claimed the Syrian government used such weapons against the opposition.

For his part, Putin said that his country is making efforts on Syria and has achieved progresses.

The two countries also agreed to keep communication on the issue.

Earlier, Japan and the United States confirmed their cooperation on the Mideast country, with Abe's remark that Japan will closely monitor the decision by the U.S. Congress after U.S. President Obama said he will seek permission from Congress.